Ventilated container for produce

ABSTRACT

A ventilated container for produce includes a bottom, sidewalls extending upwardly from the bottom, and a rim having a flattened top surface. The sidewalls include at least one ventilation opening located proximate the rim of the container thereby permitting the rim of the container to be generally flat and uninterrupted. The location of ventilation opening(s) proximate the rim of the container allows the flow of rising ethylene gas within the container to exit near the top of the container improving ventilation within the container. A plastic film can be applied over the top of the container and is adhered to the container with an adhesive to form a secure and rigid seal between the film and the container. The flattened surface of the rim improves the adherence between a film and the container to enclose and seal the container, aids the rigidity of the container, and lessens the likelihood of the edges of the rim being bent or folded when pressure is exerted to protect produce provided within the container. Moreover, an aperture on the bottom of the container provides drainage of liquid from the container and allow air to flow.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Designapplication Ser. Nos. 29/562,176 and 29/562,181, filed Apr. 22, 2016(now pending); all of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is generally directed to a container for storingand transporting produce, such as for example fruits and vegetables,efficiently and safely with improved ventilation.

For delicate produce, especially fruits and vegetables, an appropriatepackaging is an important consideration in order to enable shipping fromgrowers and processors to consumers, facilitate storage duringdistribution, and prolong shelf life. Many fruits and vegetables,including for example tomatoes, naturally produce ethylene gas whenripening. To prevent premature ripening, it is important to minimizeexposure to ethylene gas. It only takes a few days of exposure toethylene gas for fruits and vegetables to become overripe and inedible.This naturally occurring maturation process results in significantlosses to both growers, processors, retailers, and consumers.

Conventional produce containers lack proper ventilation for ethylene gasreleased by the produce within such containers. Attempts have been madein the past to provide ventilation in produce containers by providingindentations in the rim of the container known as castellation. Theindentations form air channels to the exterior of the container when aplastic film cover or lid is applied to the rim to close the container.However, the plastic film cover or lid applied to the rim can come loosefrom the rim due to the interruptions in the seal by the indentations inthe rim resulting in the unintended opening of the container.Furthermore, the indentations in the perimeter of the rim create weakspots on the container. Such weak spots allow the container to flex,which can cause the container to be bent or folded at the indentationsin the event that the container is crushed or dropped. These bends orfold can result in the spillage of the contents of the container. Thecastellation is also made with straight lines creating sharp and rigidedges and such sharp and rigid edges can damage tender produce in thecontainers.

Therefore, there exists a need for a produce container havingappropriate ventilation for the contained produce, wherein the containercan be securely sealed with a film cover or lid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A ventilated container for produce according to an embodiment of thepresent invention includes a bottom, sidewalls extending upwardly fromthe bottom, and a rim having a flattened top surface. At least one ofthe sidewalls preferably includes at least one ventilation openinglocated proximate the rim of the container thereby permitting the rim ofthe container to be generally flat and uninterrupted. As discussedbelow, the at least one ventilation opening is provided through asurface of an indentation formed on at least one of the sidewalls thatextends into the interior cavity of the container. Furthermore, thesurface of the indentation through which the ventilation opening islocated below the top surface of the rim.

The location of ventilation opening(s) proximate the rim of thecontainer allows the flow of rising ethylene gas within the container toexit near the top of the container improving ventilation within thecontainer. Furthermore, the location of the ventilation opening(s) onthe interior of the container and below the top surface of the rimeffectively hides the openings from consumers.

The ventilated container for produce can be enclosed with a plastic filmsecured to the rim to form a seal. The film is applied over the top ofthe container and is preferably adhered to the container with anadhesive to form a secure and rigid seal between the film and thecontainer. The film can be made of a clear material which enablesconsumers to view the contents of the container when it is on display.

The ventilated container for produce of the present invention preferablydoes not include any indentation or interruption of the rim to provide aflattened top surface of the rim. The flattened surface of the rimimproves the adherence between a film and the container to enclose andseal the container. Furthermore, the flattened surface of the rim aidsthe rigidity of the container, and lessens the likelihood of the edgesof the rim being bent or folded when pressure is exerted to protectproduce provided within the container. The uninterrupted flattened topsurface also increases the seal integrity on the rim and limits theability to of the rim to flex, thereby enabling the produce container topass drop test done by top retailers.

As discussed above, the sidewalls can include indentations extendinginwardly of the sidewalls. The surfaces of the indentation can have softgeometrical edges (such as scallops) to limit potential damage to theproduce provided in the container. The indentations can havecorresponding concave, square, and other configurations suitable fortheir intended purpose. The degree of indentation of the indentationscan vary such that different sizes and shapes of produce can be suitablystored in the container.

The ventilated container for produce of the present inventionfacilitates the ventilation of the ethylene gas within the container byplacing a ventilation opening on a sidewall below the top of thecontainer thereby slowing the ripening process and keeping the producefresher and longer. The ventilation opening is located on theindentations between the rim and a most of the indentations. Thesidewall includes at least one, or a plurality of ventilation openings.The ventilation opening is suitably sized and configured to provideadequate ventilation suitable for the contents of the container.Different sizes and configurations of the ventilation openings arewithin the scope of the present invention depending on the size andshape of the container. The ventilation openings can be circular, oval,or quadrilateral, or other shapes suitable for the intended purpose.

In addition to the ventilation opening located on the sidewall, theventilation of gas within the container can be further improved by atleast one, and preferably a plurality of additional ventilation openingson the corners of the sidewalls, specifically for improved verticalventing.

An aperture on the bottom of the container provides drainage of liquidfrom the container and allow air to flow. At least one, and preferably aplurality of apertures on the bottom can be provided to improve thedrainage. The aperture is generally circular in shape. However, theshape of the aperture may include, but is not limited to, ovals,oblongs, squares, rectangles, polygons, and other figures suitable forthe intended purpose.

The shape of the ventilated container for produce can be square,rectangular, circular, elliptical, triangular, or any other figures. Thelength, height and width of the container can adjusted depending on theshape, size, counts and type of the produce in the container. Theventilated container is constructed of a plastic material, morespecifically transparent plastic. Alternatively, the container can bemade of various polymeric and monomeric plastics, paper products, andcombinations of the foregoing. The ventilated container for produce issufficiently transparent so that it is adequate for display and allowsvisual inspection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide furtherunderstanding of the present invention disclosed in the presentdisclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of thisspecification, illustrate aspects of the present invention and togetherwith the description serve to explain the principles of the presentinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container in accordance with the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance withthe first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the container in accordance with thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the container taken along line 5-5of the first embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 3, showing theenclosed container sealed with a film;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the container taken along line 5-5of the first embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 3, showing theenclosed container sealed with a lid;

FIG. 7 illustrates a stack of two enclosed containers in accordance withthe first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with asecond embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance withthe second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the container in accordance with thesecond embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed witha film taken along line 11-11 of the second embodiment of the presentinvention of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with athird embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance withthe third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the thirdembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed witha film taken along line 15-15 of the third embodiment of the presentinvention of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with afourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance withthe fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the container in accordance with thefourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view of the container in accordance with thefourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed witha film taken along line 20-20 of the fourth embodiment of the presentinvention of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with afifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance withthe fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of the container in accordance withthe fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the fifthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a bottom plan view of the container in accordance with thefifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed witha film taken along line 26-26 of the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention of FIG. 24;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with asixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance withthe sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a side elevational view of the container in accordance withthe sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 30A is a top plan view of the container in accordance with thesixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 30B is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed witha film taken along line 30-30 of the sixth embodiment of the presentinvention of FIG. 30A;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with aseventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 32 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance withthe seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 33 is a side elevational view of the container in accordance withthe seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 34 is a top plan view of the container in accordance with theseventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed witha film taken along line 35-35 of the seventh embodiment of the presentinvention of FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with aneighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 37 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance withthe eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 38 is a side elevational view of the container in accordance withthe eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 39A is a top plan view of the container in accordance with theeighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 39B is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed witha film taken along line 39-39 of the eighth embodiment of the presentinvention of FIG. 39A;

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with aninth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 41 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance withthe ninth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 42 is a side elevational view of the container in accordance withthe ninth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 43 is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the ninthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed witha film taken along line 44-44 of the ninth embodiment of the presentinvention of FIG. 43;

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of the container in accordance with atenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 46 is a front elevational view of the container in accordance withthe tenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 47 is a top plan view of the container in accordance with the tenthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 48 is a bottom plan view of the container in accordance with thetenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosed container sealed witha film taken along line 49-49 of the tenth embodiment of the presentinvention of FIG. 47.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description ofvarious configurations of the present invention and is not intended torepresent the only configurations in which the present invention may bepracticed. It will be apparent, however, to those of ordinary skill inthe art that the present invention is not limited to the specificdetails set forth herein and may be practiced without these specificdetails.

FIGS. 1-7 illustrate perspective, front, top, bottom, andcross-sectional views of container 100 in accordance with the firstembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, in accordancewith the present invention, container 100 includes a bottom 102,sidewalls 104, and a rim 106 having a flattened top surface. Sidewalls104 extend upwardly from bottom 102, and bottom 102 and sidewalls 104form an interior cavity of container 100. The lower portions ofsidewalls 104 are attached to bottom 102 proximate the perimeter ofbottom 102. At least adjacent the upper and lower portions thereof,sidewalls 104 have a complete perimeter. The upper portions of sidewalls104 are connected to rim 106. Each of sidewalls 104 includes at leastone ventilation opening 108 located proximate rim 106 of container 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, in a first embodiment of the presentinvention, rim 106 extends outwardly from the top of sidewalls 104approximately 0.3 inches to 0.5 inches, thereby the flattened surface ofrim 106 preferably has a width of approximately 0.3 inches to 0.5inches. It is desired that rim 106 has an uninterrupted flat surface. Itis understood that rim 106 need not be entirely flat as long as it iseven and continuous in order to form a surface suitable for securelyengaging a film or lid.

Referring to FIG. 1, sidewalls 104 include an indentation 110 extendinginwardly from sidewalls 104. The top of indentation 110 preferablyincludes a surface 111 including ventilation opening 108. Surface 111 ofindentation 110 is oriented away from bottom 102, is disposed inwardlyrelative to rim 104, and is positioned below rim 106. In the firstembodiment, indentation 110 has a roughly concave configurationextending inwardly of sidewall 104. It is understood that indentation110 can be, but is not limited to, concave, square, and other shapessuitable for being in contact with produce within container 110. Thedegree of indentation or the height of indentation 110 can vary suchthat each ventilation opening can has a different size and shape.

Ventilation opening 108 is formed in upper portions of sidewall 104proximate rim 106. The location of ventilation opening 108 proximate rim106 of the container allows the flow of rising ethylene gas withincontainer 100 to exit near the top of container 100 improvingventilation within container 100. In the first embodiment, ventilationopening 108 has a length of approximately 1.0 inch and width ofapproximately 0.2 inches, but it is understood that other sizes andconfigurations of the ventilation openings are within the scope of thepresent invention depending on the size and shape of the container. Forexample, the ventilation openings can be circular, oval, orquadrilateral, or other shapes suitable for the intended purpose. Eachof sidewalls 104 includes at least one, or a plurality of ventilationopenings. It is also appreciated that at least one, but not all, of thesidewalls include at least one ventilation opening to permit the desiredventilation of gas from within the container.

Ventilation opening 108 depicted in FIGS. 1-7 has a quarter moon shape,but it may have, but is not limited to, circular, oval, orquadrilateral, shapes suitable for its intended purpose.

The flattened surface of rim 106 provides a surface for a film 116 withan adhesive (as illustrated in FIG. 5) or a lid 118 (as illustrated inFIG. 6) to form an enclosed volume of container 100 for storing producetherein. The flattened surface of rim 106 allows container 100 to bemore securely engaged to film 116 or lid 118. The continuousuninterrupted flattened surface of rim 106 also serves in preventingcontainer 100 from being bent or folded when pressure is exerted on theedges of rim 106. The engagement of film 116 or lid 118 to rim 106afforded by the flattened surface thereof also serves in better securingfilm 116 or lid 118 thereto. As a result, container 100 will resistdamage from being crushed to better protect produce contained incontainer 100 and prevents produce spillage as the film stays sealed tothe container. A conventional container having an indentation on a rimis malleable and can flex at the indentation when struck, which causesthe produce to become bruised or even causes the film to be peeled offeasily.

FIG. 5 illustrates the enclosed container 100 peripherally sealed withfilm 116. Container 100 is enclosed with film 116 adhered around rim 106to form a seal. The film material may be derived from any material withproperties that facilitate the enclosing of the ventilated container foruse with food products. Preferably, film 116 is made of a clearmaterial, which enables consumers to view the contents of the containerwhen it is on display. Suitable film materials include polyethylene,polyethylene-coated cellophane, and propylene.

Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 6, container 100 can be enclosed withlid 118. When container 100 is secured with either film 116 or lid 118,ventilation opening 108 is not blocked, which still allows gas releasedby produce stored in container 100 to escape through ventilation opening108.

Furthermore, FIG. 7 illustrates two containers 100 stacked on top ofeach other where ventilation openings 108 are open such that thepassageway for gas to exit is not blocked.

The ventilation of gas in container 100 can be further improved by atleast one, and preferably a plurality of additional ventilation openings112 on the corners of sidewalls 104, specifically for improved verticalventing.

An aperture 114 on bottom 102 of container 100 provides drainage ofliquid from container 100 and allow air to flow. At least one, andpreferably a plurality of apertures 114 on the bottom can be provided toimprove the drainage. Aperture 114 is generally circular in shape, butit is understood that it may be in any shape suitable for its intendedpurpose. The shape of aperture 114 may include, but is not limited to,ovals, oblongs, squares, rectangles, polygons, and other figuressuitable for the intended purpose. Aperture 114 is suitably sized,configured, and placed across bottom 102 to provide adequate drainageand ventilation for produce stored in container 100.

The first embodiment of the present invention is shown to have agenerally square configuration, but is not limited to such aconfiguration. It is understood that the container may be made in anysize suitable for its intended purpose. The shape of container 100 maybe, but is not limited to, rectangular, circular, elliptical, andtriangular. The length, height and width of the container can adjusteddepending on the shape, size, counts and type of the produce in thecontainer.

Container 100 is generally constructed of a plastic material, morespecifically transparent plastic, such as polyethylene terephthalate(PET), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polylactide (PLA),crystalline polyethylene terephthalate (CPET), or polypropylene (PP).Container 100 can be sufficiently transparent so that the contents inthe container is visible therethrough. While the preferred embodiment isa plastic structure, the present invention is equally applicable toalternative materials. Alternative materials include, but are notlimited to, various polymeric and monomeric plastics, paper products,and combinations of the foregoing.

Reference numerals in the 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, and1000 series correspond, prospectively, to reference numerals in the 100series described above in connection with ventilated container forproduce 100.

As shown in FIGS. 8-11, in accordance with a second embodiment of thepresent invention, ventilated container for produce 200 has a generallysquare configuration, having a length and a width of approximately 7.5inches and a height of approximately 2.7 inches.

As shown in FIGS. 12-15, similar to the second embodiment of the presentinvention, referring to FIGS. 13-15, ventilated container for produce300 has a generally square configuration, except the different height.Container 300 has a length and width of approximately 7.5 inches and aheight of approximately 3.5 inches.

As shown in FIGS. 16-20, in accordance with a third embodiment of thepresent invention, ventilated container for produce 400 has a generallysquare configuration. Bottom 402 includes a plurality of integrallyformed, inwardly protruding ribs 420. The ribs 420 can stiffen the baseand can elevate produce from liquid within the container 400.Furthermore, bottom 402 with ribs 420, compared to a container having atypically flat bottom, can give container stability and make stackingeasier.

As shown in FIGS. 21-26, alternatively, ventilated container for produce500 has a generally rectangular configuration, having a length ofapproximately 14.55 inches, a width of approximately 7.90 inches, and aheight of 3.08 inches. Ventilated container for produce 500 includes afirst sidewall 504 having one ventilation opening 508 located proximaterim 506 of container 500 and a second sidewall 504′ having twoventilation openings 508 located proximate rim 506 of container 500.Bottom 502 has a plurality of outwardly extending platforms 530. Eachplatform 530 can have a plurality of apertures 514 to provide drainageof liquid from container 500 and to allow air to flow. Platforms 530also can give container stability and make stacking easier.

As shown in FIGS. 27-30, similar to the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention, ventilated container for produce 600 has a generallyrectangular configuration, except the different height.

Referring to FIGS. 31-35, another preferred embodiment of ventilatedcontainer for produce 700 has a generally rectangular configuration.Bottom 702 has three platforms 730 with a plurality of apertures 714formed thereon to provide drainage of liquid from container 700 and toallow air to flow.

As shown in FIGS. 36-39, similar to the seventh embodiment of thepresent invention, ventilated container for produce 800 has a generallyrectangular configuration, except the different height.

As shown in FIGS. 40-44, similar to the seventh embodiment of thepresent invention, ventilated container for produce 900 has a generallyrectangular configuration, except the different width.

Referring to FIGS. 45-49, alternatively, ventilated container forproduce 1000 has a square configuration.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A container for holding produce withventilation for ethylene gas emitted from the produce within thecontainer, the container comprising: a bottom portion having aperimeter; at least four sidewall portions extending upwardly from thebottom portion, each of the sidewall portions including a first sideportion, a second side portion, an upper portion, a lower portion, andbeing oriented substantially along a different plane, the lower portionsof each of the sidewall portions being attached to the bottom portionproximate the perimeter thereof, the first side portion of a first ofthe sidewall portions being attached to the second side portion of asecond of the sidewall portions, the first side portion of the second ofthe sidewall portions being attached to the second side portion of athird of the sidewall portions, the first side portion of the third ofthe sidewall portions being attached to the second side portion of afourth of the sidewall portions, and the first side portion of thefourth of the sidewall portions being attached to the second sideportion of the first of the sidewall portions, the first of the sidewallportions being oriented substantially along a first plane, the second ofthe sidewall portions being oriented substantially along a second plane,the third of the sidewall portions being oriented substantially along athird plane, and the fourth of the sidewall portions being orientedsubstantially along a fourth plane, the bottom portion and the sidewallportions defining a cavity for holding the produce therein; a rimportion attached to the upper portions of each of the sidewall portions,the rim portion including an upper surface, a lower surface, an outeredge portion, and an inner edge portion, the upper surface beingoriented away from the bottom portion, the upper surface beinguninterrupted along a portion thereof between the outer edge portion andthe inner edge portion, the upper surface being oriented substantiallyalong a fifth plane, the fifth plane being transverse to the first,second, third, and fourth planes; and a cover for engaging the uppersurface of the rim portion for enclosing the cavity formed by the bottomportion and the sidewall portions; wherein the upper portion of at leastone of the sidewall portions includes an indentation proximate the rimportion and extending into a portion of the cavity, the indentationincluding a first surface proximate and adjacent to the rim portion, thefirst surface extending substantially along a sixth plane, the sixthplane being transverse to the first, second, third, and fourth planes,the first surface including an aperture therethrough proximate the rimportion, the aperture being sized and configured such that a majority ofthe first surface is open, the aperture affording fluid communicationbetween the exterior of the container and the cavity when the cover isengaged to the upper surface of the rim portion, the aperture beingproximate to the rim portion provides an exit for the flow of risingethylene gas near the top of the container to minimize the amount ofethylene gas within the container naturally emitted from the produceheld in the container.
 2. The container of claim 1, wherein at least aportion of the first surface of the indentation is oriented away fromthe bottom portion.
 3. The container of claim 1, wherein at least aportion of the first surface of the indentation is disposed inwardlyrelative to the inner edge portion of the rim portion.
 4. The containerof claim 1, wherein the first surface of the indentation is positionedbelow the upper surface of the rim.
 5. The container of claim 1, whereinthe aperture is elongate.
 6. The container of claim 1, wherein theaperture is quarter moon-shaped.
 7. The container of claim 1, whereinthe first surface of the indentation includes a single aperture.
 8. Thecontainer of claim 1, wherein the aperture is approximately 1 inch(25.4mm) long and approximately 0.2 inches (5 mm) wide.
 9. The containerof claim 1, where the container includes at least one opening in acorner formed at the juncture of at least two of the sidewalls.
 10. Thecontainer of claim 1, wherein the indentation has a curved portionextending inwardly of the sidewalls, the curved portion includes softgeometrical edges configured to limit potential damage to the producewithin the container.
 11. A container for holding produce withventilation for ethylene gas emitted from the produce within thecontainer, the container comprising: a bottom portion having aperimeter; at least four sidewall portions extending upwardly from thebottom portion, each of the sidewall portions including a first sideportion, a second side portion, an upper portion, a lower portion, andbeing oriented substantially along a different plane, the lower portionsof each of the sidewall portions being attached to the bottom portionproximate the perimeter thereof, a first of the sidewall portions beingattached to a second of the sidewall portions, the second of thesidewall portions being attached to a third of the sidewall portions,the third of the sidewall portions being attached to a fourth of thesidewall portions, and the fourth of the sidewall portions beingattached to the first of the sidewall portions, the bottom portion andthe sidewall portions defining a cavity for holding the produce therein;a rim portion attached to the upper portions of each of the sidewallportions, the rim portion including an upper surface, a lower surface,an outer edge portion, and an inner edge portion, the upper surfacebeing oriented away from the bottom portion, the upper surface beinguninterrupted along a portion thereof between the outer edge portion andthe inner edge portion; and a cover for engaging the upper surface ofthe rim portion for enclosing the cavity formed by the bottom portionand the sidewall portions; wherein the upper portion of at least one ofthe sidewall portions includes an indentation proximate the rim portionand extending into a portion of the cavity, the indentation including afirst surface proximate and adjacent to the rim portion, the firstsurface extending substantially along a fifth plane, the fifth planebeing transverse to a portion of one of the first, second, third, andfourth of the sidewall portions, the first surface including an aperturetherethrough proximate the rim portion, the aperture being sized andconfigured such that a majority of the first surface is open, theaperture affording fluid communication between the exterior of thecontainer and the cavity when the cover is engaged to the upper surfaceof the rim portion, the aperture being proximate to the rim portionprovides an exit for the flow of rising ethylene gas near the top of thecontainer to minimize the amount of ethylene gas within the containernaturally emitted from the produce held in the container.
 12. Thecontainer of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the first surfaceof the indentation is oriented away from the bottom portion.
 13. Thecontainer of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the first surfaceof the indentation is disposed inwardly relative to the inner edgeportion of the rim portion.
 14. The container of claim 11, wherein thefirst surface of the indentation is positioned below the upper surfaceof the rim.
 15. A container for holding produce with ventilation forethylene qas emitted from the produce within the container, thecontainer comprising: a bottom portion having a perimeter; at least foursidewall portions extending upwardly from the bottom portion, each ofthe sidewall portions including a first side portion, a second sideportion, an upper portion, and a lower portion, the lower portions ofeach of the sidewall portions being attached to the bottom portionproximate the perimeter thereof, a first of the sidewall portions beingattached to a second of the sidewall portions, the second of thesidewall portions being attached to a third of the sidewall portions,the third of the sidewall portions being attached to a fourth of thesidewall portions, and the fourth of the sidewall portions beingattached to the first of the sidewall portions, the bottom portion andthe sidewall portions defining a cavity for holding the produce therein;and a rim portion attached to the upper portions of each of the sidewallportions, the rim portion including an upper surface, a lower surface,an outer edge portion, and an inner edge portion, the upper surfacebeing oriented away from the bottom portion wherein the upper portion ofat least one of the sidewall portions includes an indentation proximatethe rim portion and extending into a portion of the cavity, theindentation including a first surface proximate and adjacent to the rimportion, the first surface protruding into the cavity, the first surfaceincluding an aperture therethrough proximate the rim portion, theaperture being sized and configured such that a majority of the firstsurface is open, the aperture affording fluid communication between theexterior of the container and the cavity, the aperture being proximateto the rim portion provides an exit for the flow of rising ethylene gasnear the top of the container to minimize the amount of ethylene gaswithin the container naturally emitted from the produce held in thecontainer.
 16. The container of claim 15, wherein the upper surface isuninterrupted along a portion thereof between the outer edge portion andthe inner edge portion.
 17. The container of claim 15, wherein at leastone of the outer edge portion and the inner edge portion of the rimincludes a complete perimeter.
 18. The container of claim 15, wherein atleast a portion of the first surface of the indentation is oriented awayfrom the bottom portion.
 19. The container of claim 15, wherein at leasta portion of the first surface of the indentation is disposed inwardlyrelative to the inner edge portion of the rim portion.
 20. The containerof claim 15, wherein the first surface of the indentation is positionedbelow the upper surface of the rim.